Israel's Identity as a Holy Nation in Scripture
Israel's identity as a holy nation is rooted in God's specific election and separation of them from other peoples [6, 14]. The name "Israel" itself, meaning "prince that prevails with God" or "who prevails with God," was given to Jacob after his struggle at Peniel and subsequently became the national name for his descendants, the twelve tribes [4, 5, 7]. This designation underscored their unique relationship with God [11].
The concept of Israel as a holy nation signifies that they were "set apart for God" [9]. This separation was not based on their own merit but on God's sovereign choice to display His power and grace among them [14]. As Deuteronomy 14:2 states, "the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." This divine election made them distinct, a "peculiar people" [14].
Scripture frequently emphasizes this holiness. Jeremiah 2:3 describes Israel as "holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest" [12]. This imagery connects Israel to the Mosaic law's requirement of offering the first portion of every harvest to God, signifying their dedication and special status [12]. Rashi, a prominent Jewish commentator, similarly taught that "Israel is holy like terumah," referring to the priestly offering [8]. This holiness meant they were to reflect God's character, as outlined in passages like Exodus 19:5-6 and Leviticus 19 [12].
God's intention was for His "holy name" to be known among His people Israel, and for the nations to recognize Him as "the Holy One in Israel" [1]. Ezekiel 37:28 further states that the nations would know that God makes Israel holy when His sanctuary is among them forever [2]. This holiness was intrinsically linked to God's presence and His covenant with them [11, 12]. The land itself was also considered holy, with God taking possession of Judah as His portion in the "holy land" [10, 13].
The identity of Israel as a holy nation is thus a foundational theme, emphasizing their unique covenant relationship with God, their separation for His purposes, and their role in making His name known among the nations [1, 3, 6].
Sources
- Ezekiel “My holy name will I make known in the midst of my people Israel; neither will I allow my holy name to be profaned any more: and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. -- Ezekiel 39:7”
- Ezekiel “Ezekiel 37:28 (BBE) — And the nations will be certain that I who make Israel holy am the Lord, when my holy place is among them for ever.”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 17:21 (BSB) — And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Israel — (the prince that prevails with God). + The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." + It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. + It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. + After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the de”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Israel — who prevails with God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Jews, The — Descended from Abraham -- Isa 51:2; Joh 8:39. Divided into twelve tribes -- Ge 35:22; 49:28. Called Hebrews. -- Ge 14:13; 40:15; 2Co 11:22. Israelites. -- Ex 9:7; Jos 3:17. Seed of Abraham. -- Ps 105:6; Isa 41:8. Seed of Jacob. -- Jer 33:26. Seed of Israel. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Jacob. -- 1Ch 16:13. Children of Israel. -- Ge 50:25; Isa 27:12. Jeshurun. -- De 32:15. Chosen and loved by God -- De 7:6,7. Circumcised in token of their covenant relation -- Ge 17:10,11; Ac 7:8. Separated from all other nations -- Ex 33:16; Le 20:24; 1Ki 8:53. Described as A”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Israel — The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed." (See [301]JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob's descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called "Israelites," the "children of Israel" (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the "house of Israel" (Ex. 16:31; 40:38). This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3; John 1:47; Rom. 9:6; 11:26). After the death of Saul the ten tribes arrogat”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Jeremiah 2:3: Israel is holy like terumah.”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:7: 1:7 To be holy means to be set apart for God. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe Israel, God’s chosen people (cp. Exod 19:6), whom God called from among all other nations to be his own. By calling the Gentile Christians his own holy people, Paul makes it clear that Gentiles are now fully included among God’s people.”
- Zechariah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Zechariah 2:12: "And Jehovah will take possession of Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will yet choose Jerusalem. Zac 2:13. Be still, all flesh, before Jehovah; for He has risen up out of His holy habitation." The first hemistich of Zac 2:12 rests upon Deu 32:9, where Israel, as the chosen nation, is called the chēleq and nachălâh of Jehovah. This appointment of Israel to be the possession of Jehovah will become perfect truth and reality in the future, through the coming of the Lord. Yehūdâh is Judah as delivered, i.e., the remnant of the whole of the covenant”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 9:4: Who are Israelites - Descendants of Jacob, a man so highly favored of God, and from whom he received his name Israel - a prince of God, Gen 32:28; from which name his descendants were called Israelites, and separated unto God for his glory and praise. Their very name of Israelites implied their very high dignity; they were a royal nation; princes of the most high God. The adoption - The Israelites were all taken into the family of God, and were called his sons and first-born, Exo 4:22; Deu 14:1; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1; and this adoption took place when God made the coven”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 2:3: 2:3 Israel was holy because the Lord had separated her from other nations to be his special people and reflect his character (Exod 19:5-6; Lev 19; 22:31-33). • first of his children: Literally the firstfruits of his harvest. Mosaic law required the people to offer the first portion of every harvest to the Lord (Exod 23:16, 19; 34:22, 26; Lev 2:12, 14; 23:10, 17, 20; Num 18:12; 28:26; Deut 18:4; 26:10; Zech 14:20). The people who made the covenant with God at Mount Sinai pledged their full commitment to the one true God. In return, the Lord protected them and puni”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 63:18: people of . . . holiness--Israel dedicated as holy unto God (Isa 62:12; Deu 7:6). possessed--namely, the Holy Land, or Thy "sanctuary," taken from the following clause, which is parallel to this (compare Isa 64:10-11; Psa 74:6-8). thy--an argument why God should help them; their cause is His cause.”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 14:1: Moses here tells the people of Israel, I. How God had dignified them, as a peculiar people, with three distinguishing privileges, which were their honour, and figures of those spiritual blessings in heavenly things with which God has in Christ blessed us. 1. Here is election: The Lord hath chosen thee, v: 2. Not for their own merit, nor for any good works foreseen, but because he would magnify the riches of his power and grace among them. He did not choose them because they were by their own dedication and subjection a peculiar people to him above other natio”